Panther in Action
(Softcover)
SS12059

By David Doyle
Though not as celebrated in literature (or propaganda) as the
much feared Tiger, the Panther tank was arguably the more
effective of Germany’s two World War II-era “cats.”

Sometimes known as the Panzerkampfwagen V, the Panther was
introduced in 1943 as Germany’s new medium tank, intended to
replace both the Panzer III and Panzer IV, both of which proved
outclassed by the Soviet T-34 and KV-1.

The tank had excellent firepower and protection for its day, but
early Panthers especially were plagued with mechanical issues,
many of which were the result of the vehicles being rushed into
production and into the field where they were manned by troops
who lacked adequate training on the tanks – all in a feverish
effort to stem the Soviet counteroffensive in 1943.

While some issues, such as troop training, were corrected – at
least in the short term, some of the mechanical issues, notably
problems with the transmission, continued to plague the Panther
to the end of the war.

These issues were compounded by the incessant Allied bombing not
only of the tank assembly plants, but also of the factories that
made key parts and subassemblies. A further problem for the
Panther arose as a result of the use of slave labor to
manufacture the tanks and their components.

Intended in part to lower the 117,100 Reichmark vehicle cost, the
use of hostile prisoners in industry resulted in frequent
instances of sabotage that, a 1947 study showed, were effective.


With its sloping armor, both to deflect shot and to increase
effective thickness, even 75 years later the Panther still has a
modern appearance. Nevertheless, the tank failed to live up to
its potential.

Originally designed as a 30-ton vehicle, with an engine and
transmission sized accordingly, as typical of German tank
designs, the Panther’s weight soon began to climb, ultimately
soaring to over 45 tons, which astoundingly is nearly the
original design weight of the massive Tiger tank.

Over 180 B/W photos, 9 color profiles and line drawings. 80
pages.

ISBN=978-0-89747-831-1